Vacuum assisted mixer for capsule of dental restoration material

ABSTRACT

There is provided a mixer for a capsule for dental restoration material used for mixing a powder component and a liquid component in a capsule accommodating therein the powder component and the liquid component for restoration of a tooth in the dental remedy field, by rendering a mixing compartment in vacuo so as to make it in a good state where the mixture does not substantially contain air bubbles. The mixer of the present invention has the mixer for a capsule for dental restoration material provided with a capsule holding chamber of holding a mixer for a capsule to shake the capsule accommodating a powder component and a liquid component isolated from the powder component within a cylindrical mixing compartment having an air-permeable filter which can ventilate air outside, placed as an outer wall constituting at least a part of a peripheral wall of the mixing compartment, in a portion other than a portion corresponding to the air-permeable filter, and the capsule holding chamber is connected to a vacuum device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a mixer for a capsule for dentalrestoration material, which is used for mixing a powder component and aliquid component in a capsule for dental restoration materialaccommodating therein two components of definite amount of the powdercomponent and the liquid component as previously weighed separately,each constituting a dental restoration material to be used in filling,cementing, lining and other applications for restoration of a tooth inthe dental remedy field, by rendering a mixing compartment in vacuo sothat the mixture may not substantially contain air bubbles therein.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In general, a dental restoration material is used for restorationof a tooth, such as filling, cementing and lining. As the dentalrestoration material, a two-component system material comprising apowder component and a liquid component, which are reacted with eachother upon mixing, is usually used. Hitherto, this two-component systemdental restoration material was provided for use after appropriatelyweighing the powder component and the liquid component and mixing themwith each other. However, in recent years, for the purposes of omittinga weighing operation of the powder component and the liquid componentand an operation for accommodating the dental restoration material aftermixing in a syringe for administering it to a site to be restored, therehave been developed capsules for dental restoration material, in whichdefinite amounts of the powder component and the liquid component arepreviously weighed and accommodated separately from each other, theisolated state is released at a desired time, the both components aremixed with each other by mechanical shaking in a mixer, and theresulting mixture is extruded and administered directly to a site to berestored, such as a tooth cavity, through a nozzle.

[0005] For example, in a capsule as disclosed in Japanese PatentPublication No. 38853/1991, a powder component of the two components isaccommodated in a mixing compartment of a capsule main body, and theother liquid component is charged in a bag (pillow) formed by a sheetfilm, which is mounted on a side portion of the mixing compartmentaccommodating the powder component by means of a clip. The capsule mainbody has an outlet hole in a front end portion thereof. This outlet holecan be clogged in a cylindrical bearing portion in a rear end portion ofa nozzle. Further, the nozzle is kept from the outside by means of aseparately formed cap, thereby preventing the powder component fromleakage out of the mixing compartment. And, when in use, the clip ispushed toward direction of the mixing compartment, thereby smashing andbreaking the pillow accommodating the liquid component therein; theliquid component is made to flow into an interior of the mixingcompartment through an aperture provided on a side wall of the mixingcompartment, followed by shaking in a mixer to mix the liquid componentand the powder component with each other; the cylindrical bearingportion in the rear end portion of the nozzle is then rotated to releasea passage of the nozzle; and a plunger is pushed by means of a push rodof a separately prepared applier to extrude the mixture through thenozzle.

[0006] Further, a two-component system capsule for mixing anddischarging as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 268555/1987has a bag (pillow) in which a powder component of two components isaccommodated in a mixing compartment within a capsule main body, and theother liquid component is accommodated in a bag (pillow) formed by asheet film comprising a resin, a metal foil, or a laminate comprising aresin and a metal foil. In this pillow, the strength in the main bodyside is previously set to be low, and the pillow is attached by a cap tobe screwed on the container main body in the front end side of thecontainer main body. In use, when the cap is firmly screwed on thecapsule main body and moved, the pillow is ruptured, the sheet in thecapsule main body side is broken, and the liquid component flows intothe mixing compartment through an outlet hole provided on a center axisof the front end of the capsule main body. Thus, when shaking isperformed in a mixer, the liquid component is mixed with the powdercomponent. After mixing, a through rod set within a nozzle provided on acenter axis of the cap is pushed in and breaks through the sheet of thepillow on the cap side, i.e., on the nozzle side, to form a dischargeoutlet for the mixture. Thereafter, the through rod is removed, aplunger set in the interior of the rear end portion of the capsule mainbody is moved towards the side of the front end portion of the capsulemain body by a push rod of an applier, and the mixture in the mixingcompartment is discharged through the nozzle.

[0007] Further, like Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 268555/1987 as citedabove, Japanese Patent Publication No. 81384/1991 discloses a capsulefor dental restoration material in which a bag (pillow) having a liquidcomponent accommodated therein, which is formed by a sheet film such asan aluminum foil, is provided on the outside of a front end of a mixingcompartment of a capsule main body; and the pillow is ruptured byscrewing and pressing a cap, thereby making the liquid component flowinto the mixing compartment through an outlet hole on a center axis ofthe capsule main body. Thus, when a mixer is shaken, the liquidcomponent is mixed with the powder component. Thereafter, a pillowbreakthrough body-equipped plunger provided in a rear end portion of thecapsule main body is moved by means of a push rod of an applier, tobreak through a front end of the pillow on the nozzle side, therebyextruding the mixture in the mixing compartment.

[0008] Each of the above-described capsules used a pillow in which theliquid component is wrapped by a sheet film using a metal foil or thelike. Thus, as a capsule not using such a pillow, Japanese PatentLaid-Open No. 131459/1996 proposes a capsule having a structurecomprising a cylindrical capsule main body having a mixing compartmentfor accommodating a powder component therein, in which a thin film-likeseal portion for clogging a circular outlet hole for mixture, which isprovided on a center axis of a front end portion, is formed, male screwis provided on an outer periphery side surface from the front endportion to a center portion, and an applier-engaging groove is formed onan outer periphery side surface in the vicinity of a rear end portion; acup-like liquid-accommodating tool for accommodating a liquid componenttherein, in which a thin film-like seal portion forming a circularflow-in hole for the liquid component is formed on a center axis of afront end portion thereof, an evagination portion that is embedded in acylindrical portion for forming the mixing compartment of the capsulemain body is provided on an outer periphery surface in the vicinity ofthe front end portion, and a convex stopper having a size such that itdoes not easily slide into the capsule main body during breaking throughthe thin film-like seal portion to form the flow-in hole for the liquidcomponent, however, when a large force is applied, it the stopper notinhibited to slide into the capsule main body, is provided on an outerside surface in the vicinity of a rear end portion thereof; a plunger,in which a tip portion thereof for breaking through the thin film-likeseal portion of the liquid-accommodating tool and the thin film-likeseal portion of the capsule main body has a planar rod-like protrusionin its front end portion, and an evagination portion that is engagedwith a cylindrical portion within the liquid-accommodating tool isprovided on an outer periphery surface in the vicinity of the front endportion; a cap having a nozzle-engaging mouth on a center axis of afront end portion thereof and screw provided, on an inner periphery sidesurface thereof with a female screw to be screw engaged with the malescrew that is a screw provided on the capsule main body; and a nozzlehaving a shape such that a rear end portion thereof can be engaged withthe outer surface of the front end portion of the capsule main body.

[0009] In the capsules having such various structures, when the dentalrestoration material comprising two components of definite amounts ofthe previously weighed powder component and liquid component as is mixedby shaking in a mixer, air present in the mixing compartment minglesinto the mixture to stay therein. For this reason, the dentalrestoration material administered in a restoration site such as a cavityof a tooth contains the air bubbles. Accordingly, the capsules of therelated art involved various problems including reduction in thestrength and a change in the color tone with respect to the dentalrestoration material.

[0010] Thus, in order to overcome the above problems of the capsules fordental restoration material of the related art and to provide a capsulefor dental restoration material, which is free from the occurrence of aphenomenon wherein, when a dental restoration material of the relatedart comprising two components of definite amounts of previously weighedpowder component and liquid component accommodated in a capsule fordental restoration material is mixed, air present in a mixingcompartment mingles as air bubbles into the mixture, we, the presentinventors proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-163408 acapsule for dental restoration material having an air-permeable filterthat does not allow to pass the powder component and the liquidcomponent therethrough but can ventilate air within the mixingcompartment outside of the mixing compartment placed at least in a partof a peripheral wall of the mixing compartment.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a mixer for acapsule for dental restoration material, in which air present in thecompartment for mixing the dental restoration material comprising twocomponents of the powder component and the liquid component accommodatedin the capsule for dental restoration material as proposed above by theinventors is sucked out of the mixing compartment to render the mixingcompartment in vacuo, whereby the powder component and the liquidcomponent can be mixed with each other by shaking.

[0013] In order to achieve the above-described object, the presentinventors made extensive and intensive investigations. As a result, ithas been found that the object can be achieved by a mixer for a capsulefor dental restoration material for mixing a powder component and aliquid component of a dental restoration material by shaking within amixing compartment of a capsule for dental restoration material havingan air-permeable filter which can ventilate air within the mixingcompartment into the outside of the mixing compartment, the filterconstituting as an outer wall at least a part of a peripheral wall ofthe mixing compartment, wherein the mixer is provided with a capsuleholding chamber for holding the capsule for dental restoration materialin a portion other than a portion corresponding to the air-permeablefilter, and the capsule holding chamber is connected to a vacuum device,leading to accomplishment of the present invention.

[0014] Further, it has also been found that when, in the mixer for acapsule for dental restoration material, the vacuum device is an ejectorto be connected to a compressed air supply device for a dental unit, acompressed air supply device for a dental unit placed in a dental cliniccan be used as a power source thereof, and hence, the system can be madeat low cost and of simple structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing a structure ofa mixer for a capsule for dental restoration material according to thepresent invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is an explanatory side cross-sectional view of oneembodiment of a capsule for dental restoration material used in a mixerfor a capsule for dental restoration material according to the presentinvention;

[0017]FIG. 3 is an explanatory side cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of a capsule for dental restoration material used in a mixerfor a capsule for dental restoration material according to the presentinvention;

[0018]FIG. 4 is an explanatory side cross-sectional view of a stillanother embodiment of a capsule for dental restoration material used ina mixer for a capsule for dental restoration material according to thepresent invention; and

[0019]FIG. 5 is an explanatory side cross-sectional view of a stillother embodiment of a capsule for dental restoration material used in amixer for a capsule for dental restoration material according to thepresent invention.

[0020] First of all, the capsule for dental restoration material used inthe mixer for a capsule for dental restoration material according to thepresent invention will be described.

[0021] In the drawings, a numeral 1 shows integrally formed syntheticresin-made cylindrical capsule main body, in which a definite amount ofa previously weighed powder component A is accommodated and which isprovided with a cylindrical mixing compartment 1 a for mixing the powdercomponent A with a liquid component B when the liquid component B flowsthereinto. The capsule main body 1 is also provided with an outlet hole1 b for a mixture comprising the powder component A and the liquidcomponent B mixed with each other on a center axis in a front endportion thereof. Each of the exemplified embodiments as shown in thedrawings has a shape such that a cap 4 provided with a nozzle 4 a asdescribed later on an outer surface of the front end portion, or a cap 4supporting the nozzle 4 a together with the capsule main body 1, can befixed (a male screw in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and anengagement concave in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, respectively).

[0022] A numeral 2 shows a liquid-accommodating tool for accommodating adefinite amount of the previously weighed liquid component B. In theexample of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the liquid-accommodating tool2 is a integrally formed synthetic resin-made cylindrical cap that canslide toward the side of the outlet hole 1 b for the mixture within thecylindrical mixing compartment 1 a of the capsule main body 1 and isprovided with a thin film-like seal portion 2 a to form a circularflow-in hole for the liquid component B on a center axis in a front endportion thereof. In the examples of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and4, the liquid-accommodating tool 2 is, constituted by a bag (pillow) inwhich the liquid component B is wrapped by a sheet film made by a resin,a metal foil, or a laminate made by a resin and a metal foil, to beinstalled between the capsule main body 1 and the cap 4 provided withthe nozzle 4 a. In the examples of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, theliquid-accommodating tool 2 is constituted by a bag (pillow) in whichthe liquid component B is wrapped by a sheet film made by a resin, ametal foil, or a laminate made by a resin and a metal foil, to beinstalled in the outside of an aperture hole provided on the sidesurface of the capsule main body 1.

[0023] A numeral 3 shows a synthetic resin-made plunger for extrudingthe mixture of the powder component A and the liquid component B mixedwith each other within the mixing compartment 1 a of the capsule mainbody 1 toward the side of the outlet hole 1 b for the mixture. Theexample of the embodiment in FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which theplunger 3 is a integrally formed synthetic resin-made one that can slidetoward the side of the thin film-like seal portion 2 a within theliquid-accommodating tool 2, a rod-like protrusion 3 a breaking throughthe thin film-like seal portion 2 a of liquid-accommodating tool 2 isprovided in a front end portion thereof, and after leading the liquidcomponent B within the liquid-accommodating tool 2 to flow into themixing compartment 1 a of the capsule main body 1, the plunger 3 movestogether with the liquid-accommodating tool 2, thereby inserting therod-like protrusion 3 a into the outlet hole 1 b for the mixture of thecapsule main body 1. The examples of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to5 show that plunger 3 is a integrally formed synthetic resin-made onehaving such a shape that the mixture can slide toward the side of theoutlet hole 1 b for the mixture within the mixing compartment 1 a of thecapsule main body 1. In the example of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3,the plunger 3 is provided with the rod-like protrusion 3 a breakingthrough the sheet film on the opposite side to the outlet hole 1 b ofthe liquid-accommodating tool 2 in the front end portion thereof.

[0024] A numeral 4 shows a synthetic resin-made cap having such a shapethat it can be fixed to an outer surface of the front end portion of thecapsule main body 1 for disposing the nozzle 4 a in the front endportion of the capsule main body 1 (a male screw in the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and an engagement protrusion in the embodimentshown in FIG. 5, respectively). The cap 4 includes the embodiments shownin FIGS. 2 and 5 in which when the cap 4 is fixed to the outer surfaceof the front end portion of the capsule main body 1, it supports thenozzle 4 a between the cap 4 and the capsule main body 1 and those shownin FIGS. 3 and 4 in which the nozzle 4 a is formed integrally with thecap 4. Further, while not showing in the drawings, it is not necessarythat the liquid-accommodating tool 2 is disposed facing the outlet hole1 b of the capsule main body 1, as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2and 5. Moreover, there is an embodiment in which in the case where thenozzle 4 a is not rotated, the cap 4 can be omitted, whereby the nozzle4 a is fixed to the capsule main body 1 by screw engagement orembedding.

[0025] In the case where the liquid-accommodating tool 2 is a capsulecomprising a bag (pillow) containing the liquid component B wrapped bythe sheet film as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a numeral 5 shows athrough rod previously set within the nozzle 4 a provided on a centeraxis of the cap 4, such that it breaks through the sheet film on theopposite side to the outlet hole 1 b of the liquid-accommodating tool 2,thereby enabling to supply the mixture of the powder component A and theliquid component B mixed within the mixing compartment 1 a of thecapsule main body 1 into the nozzle 4 a.

[0026] In the case where the liquid-accommodating tool 2 is a capsulecomprising a bag (pillow) containing the liquid component B wrapped bythe sheet film as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a numeral 6 shows aclip installing the liquid-accommodating tool 2 in an outer portion ofthe side wall of the mixing compartment la of the capsule main body 1.For the use, the clip 6 is pushed toward the direction of the mixingcompartment 1 a to smash and break the sheet film of theliquid-accommodating tool 2 having the liquid component B accommodatedtherein, thereby enabling to supply the liquid component B into themixing compartment 1 a of the capsule main body 1.

[0027] In the capsules for dental restoration material having suchvarious shapes, which can be used in the mixer for a capsule for dentalrestoration material according to the present invention, anair-permeable filter 1 c that does not pass the powder component A andthe liquid component B therethrough but can ventilate air within themixing compartment 1 a into the outside of the mixing compartment 1 a isplaced at least in a part of a peripheral wall of the cylindrical mixingcompartment 1 a of the capsule main body 1.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the air-permeable filter 1 cis placed in a state of clogging a mixture passage connecting the nozzle4 a for directly administering the mixture to a restoration site of atooth to the mixing compartment 1 a; in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3and 5, the air-permeable filter 1 c is placed on the side wall of themixing compartment 1 a; and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, theair-permeable filter 1 c is placed on the side wall of the mixingcompartment 1 a and the plunger 3 extruding the mixture within themixing compartment 1 a toward the nozzle 4 a for directly administeringit to a restoration site of a tooth. In order to fix the air-permeablefilter 1 c at least in a part of the peripheral wall of the cylindricalmixing compartment 1 a of the capsule main body 1, it is necessary toplace the air-permeable filter 1 c along the peripheral wall of thecylindrical mixing compartment 1 a of the capsule main body 1.Accordingly, in case other than the case where the air-permeable filter1 c is kept between the capsule main body 1 and the cap 4 so as to clogthe outlet hole 1 b of the capsule main body 1 as in the embodimentshown in FIG. 2, an aperture window is formed on-the side wall of thecylindrical mixing compartment 1 a of the capsule main body 1 or theplunger 3 in the side facing at the mixing compartment 1 a, and theair-permeable filter 1 c disposed in the aperture window is pressed andfixed by a presser which is similarly provided with an aperture window.In this case, it is preferred that the air-permeable filter 1 c isprovided in a position other than the inner side wall of the mixingcompartment 1 a constituting a sliding surface with the plunger 3 (theliquid-accommodating tool 2 in the example of the embodiment shown inFIG. 2) that slides and moves along an inner wall of the mixingcompartment 1 a.

[0029] Usually, a powder component for dental restoration material has agrain size of 50 μm or less, and a liquid component for dentalrestoration material has a relatively high viscosity as from 220 to 750cP as measured under the temperature condition of 23° C. using a B typerotational viscometer. Accordingly, with respect to the air-permeablefilter 1 c having such a characteristic, so far as material does notpass the powder component A therethrough, neither does it inevitablypass the liquid component B therethrough. Suitable examples of suchmaterials that can be used include fabric materials textured with fiberssuch as cellulose fibers, glass fibers, polyethylene fluoride fibers,silicone fibers, and silica fibers; and film-like materials made ofnylon, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, or a mixture thereof.

[0030] Next, the mixer for a capsule for dental restoration materialaccording to the present invention, in which air present in the mixingcompartment 1 a for mixing the dental restoration material comprisingtwo components of the powder component A and the liquid component Baccommodated in the capsule for dental restoration material having thestructure as described above is sucked out of the mixing compartment 1 ato render the mixing compartment 1 a in vacuo, whereby the powdercomponent A and the liquid component B are mixed with each other byshaking, will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0031] A numeral 7 shows a capsule holding chamber for holding thecapsule for dental restoration material having the structure asdescribed above in a portion other than a position corresponding to theair-permeable filter 1 c (in the case of the capsule for dentalrestoration material shown in FIG. 2, a portion not clogging the frontend portion of the nozzle 4 a; in the case of the capsules for dentalrestoration material shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a portion not clogging theaperture portion where the air-permeable filter 1 c placed on the sidewall of the capsule main body 1 is exposed; and in the case of thecapsule for dental restoration material shown in FIG. 4, a portion notclogging at least one of the air-permeable filter 1 c placed on the sidewall of the capsule main body 1 and the air-permeable filter 1 c placedin the aperture window as provided in the plunger 3 on the side facingthe mixing compartment 1 a, respectively). This capsule holding chamber7 has a structure such that it can clog an aperture portion 7 a by a lid7 b in a sealed state, while holding the capsule for dental restorationmaterials.

[0032] A numeral 8 shows a mixing main body provided with a drivingportion for mechanically shaking the capsule holding chamber 7. Themixing main body 8 is also provided with a motor as a driving source, apower source switch, etc. as well as a vacuum device 9 and a vacuummeter 9 a. This vacuum device 9 is connected to the capsule holdingchamber 7. The vacuum device 9 may be a usual vacuum pump driven by amotor. However, when the vacuum device 9 is an ejector connected to acompressed air supply device for a dental unit, a compressed air supplydevice for a dental unit placed in a dental clinic can be used as apower source thereof, and the system can be made at low cost and ofsimple structure. Thus, the latter is preferred.

[0033] In using the mixer for a capsule for dental restoration materialhaving such a structure according to the present invention, in order tomix the dental restoration material comprising two components of thepowder component A and the liquid component B accommodated within thecapsule for dental restoration material as proposed by the presentinventors, it is necessary to carry out an operation in which the liquidcomponent B within the liquid-accommodating tool 2 is led to flow intothe mixing compartment 1 a of the capsule main body 1. This operation iscarried out in the following manner. That is, in the capsule for dentalrestoration material of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the plunger 3 iscaused to slide toward the side of the outlet hole 1 b of the capsulemain body 1, thereby breaking through the thin film-like seal portion 2a forming the flow-in hole for the liquid component B provided on thecenter axis of the front end portion of the liquid-accommodating tool 2;in the capsules for dental restoration material of the embodiments shownin FIGS. 3 and 4, the capsule main body 1 is moved toward the side ofthe cap 4, thereby rupturing and breaking a portion of the side of theoutlet hole 1 b of the sheet film made by a resin, a metal foil, or alaminate made by a resin and a metal foil, of the liquid-accommodatingtool 2 installed between the capsule main body 1 and the cap 4 providedwith the nozzle 4 a; and in the capsule for dental restoration materialof the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the sheet film made by a resin, ametal foil, or a laminate made by a resin and a metal foil, of theliquid-accommodating tool 2 installed by the clip 6 on the outside ofthe aperture hole provided on the side surface of the capsule main body1 is ruptured and broken by pushing the clip 6 toward the direction ofthe mixing compartment 1 a.

[0034] Further, in order to mix the powder component A and the liquidcomponent B within the mixing compartment 1 a of the capsule for dentalrestoration material, it is necessary to carry out an operation in whichthe capsule for dental restoration material is inserted into the capsuleholding chamber 7 of the mixer for a capsule for dental restorationmaterial according to the present invention from the aperture portion 7a and then to be held. Any of the operation for making the liquidcomponent B within the liquid-accommodating tool 2 into the mixingcompartment 1 a of the capsule main body 1 and the operation for holdingthe capsule for dental restoration material within the capsule holdingchamber 7 of the mixer for a capsule for dental restoration materialaccording to the present invention may be carried out in advance.However, in the capsule for dental restoration material held in thecapsule holding chamber 7 of the mixer for a capsule for dentalrestoration material, when there is no device for causing the liquidcomponent B within the liquid-accommodating tool 2 to flow into themixing compartment 1 a of the capsule main body 1, an operation forcausing the liquid component B within the liquid-accommodating tool 2 toflow into the mixing compartment 1 a of the capsule main body 1 iscarried out in advance.

[0035] Next, the lid 7 b is closed for the capsule holding chamber 7 tobe sealed. Then, air within the mixing compartment 1 a is sucked out ofthe mixing compartment 1 a via the air-permeable filter 1 c placed atleast in a part of the peripheral wall of the cylindrical.mixingcompartment 1 a of the capsule main body 1 such that a pressure withinthe capsule holding chamber 7 which is indicated by the vacuum meter 9 areaches a prescribed degree of vacuum by the vacuum device 9.Subsequently, the driving portion of the mixing main body 8 is driven tomechanically shake the capsule holding chamber 7, thereby mixing thepowder component A and the liquid component B. There is thus prepared amixture where no air bubbles are present.

[0036] After mixing of the powder component A and the liquid component Bhas been completed, the vacuum of the capsule holding chamber 7 isreleased, the lid 7 b is opened, and the capsule for dental restorationmaterial is then taken out from the aperture portion 7 a and isinstalled separately in an exclusive applier (not shown). Thereafter,the plunger 3 is moved toward the side of the outlet hole 1 b of thecapsule main body 1 by means of a push rod of the applier. At this time,in the capsule for dental restoration material of the embodiment shownin FIG. 4, a portion in the opposite side to the outlet hole 1 b of thesheet film made by a resin, a metal foil, or a laminate made by a resinand a metal foil, of the liquid-accommodating tool 2 is broken throughby means of the through rod 5 set within the nozzle 4 a provided on thecenter axis of the cap 4, and the through rod 5 is then taken out fromthe nozzle 4 a. Further, in the capsule for dental restoration materialof the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the nozzle 4 a is rotated to aposition shown by a broken line, thereby connecting the outlet hole 1 bof the capsule main body 1 to the nozzle 4 a.

[0037] Thus, when the plunger 3 is moved toward the side of the outlethole 1 b of the capsule main body 1 by pushing with the push rod of theapplier, the mixture within the mixing compartment 1 a of the capsulemain body 1 is extruded toward the outlet hole 1 b of the capsule mainbody 1 in a state that no air bubbles are present and administered to arestoration site of a tooth from the nozzle 4 a. In this case, in thecapsule for dental restoration material of the embodiment shown in FIG.2, the rod-like protrusion 3 a of the plunger 3 penetrates through theoutlet hole 1 b of the capsule main body 1 and breaks through theair-permeable filter 1 c installed between the capsule main body 1 andthe cap 4 provided with the nozzle 4 a. Further, in the capsule fordental restoration material of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, when therod-like protrusion 3 a of the plunger 3 penetrates through the outlethole 1 b of the capsule main body 1 and breaks through a portion on theopposite side to the outlet hole 1 b of the sheet film made by a resin,a metal foil, or a laminate made by a resin and a metal foil, of theliquid-accommodating tool 2 installed between the capsule main body 1and the cap 4 provided with the nozzle 4 a, the mixture is administeredto a restoration site of a tooth from the nozzle 4 a.

[0038] As described above in detail, the mixer for a capsule for dentalrestoration material according to the present invention is a mixer for acapsule for dental restoration material for mixing a powder componentand a liquid component of a dental restoration material by shakingwithin a mixing compartment of a capsule for dental restoration materialhaving an air-permeable filter, which can ventilate air within themixing compartment into the outside of the mixing compartment, thefilter constituting as an outer wall at least a part of a peripheralwall of the mixing compartment, wherein the mixer is provided with acapsule holding chamber for holding the capsule for dental restorationmaterial in a portion other than a portion corresponding to theair-permeable filter, and the capsule holding chamber is connected to avacuum device. Accordingly, the mixing compartment is rendered in vacuo,and shaking is carried out to mix the powder component and the liquidcomponent, thereby making the dental restoration material in a goodstate that no air bubbles are present in the mixture. Thus, the dentalrestoration material can be administered directly to a restoration sitesuch as a cavity of a tooth.

[0039] Further, when, in the mixer for a capsule for dental restorationmaterial according to the present invention, the vacuum device is anejector to be connected to a compressed air supply device for a dentalunit, a compressed air supply device for a dental unit placed in adental clinic can be used as a power source thereof, and hence, thesystem can be made at low cost and of simple structure.

[0040] In the light of the above, the mixer for a capsule for dentalrestoration material according to the present invention, which possessesvarious advantages, is greatly valuable in contributing to the dentalfield.

[0041] While the invention has been described in detail and withreference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mixer and a capsule in combination for a dentalrestoration material for mixing a powder component and a liquidcomponent of the dental restoration material by shaking, comprising: acapsule configured to retain the dental restoration material andincluding a mixing compartment and an air-permeable filter configured toventilate air within the mixing compartment to an outside of the mixingcompartment, placed as an outer wall constituting at least a part of aperipheral wall of the mixing compartment, the capsule containing anoutlet hole through which the dental restoration material passes; acapsule holding chamber configured to hold the capsule in a portionother than a portion corresponding to the air-permeable filter, thecapsule holding chamber being connected to a vacuum device; and aplunger including a protrusion portion configured to fit into saidoutlet hole of said capsule, the plunger disposed within the capsule andconfigured to extrude the dental restoration material when moving andinserting the protrusion portion into said outlet hole.
 2. The mixer anda capsule in combination for dental restoration material as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the vacuum device is an ejector connected to acompressed air supply device for a dental unit.
 3. The mixer and acapsule in combination for dental restoration material as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising a cap coupled to the capsule, saidair-permeable filter being placed between the capsule and the cap. 4.The mixer and a capsule in combination for dental restoration materialas claimed in claim 3, further comprising a nozzle extending from saidcapsule and having a mixture passage, said air-permeable filter beingdisposed within the mixture passage.
 5. The mixer and a capsule incombination for dental restoration material as claimed in claim 1,further comprising an aperture window formed on the peripheral wall,said air-permeable filter being disposed in the aperture window.
 6. Themixer and a capsule in combination for dental restoration material asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising: an aperture window formed on theplunger, said air-permeable filter being disposed in the aperturewindow.